DES MOINES, Iowa – Illinois State overcame a 10-point halftime deficit and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell poured in a career-best 28 points with a season-high nine rebounds as the ISU men's basketball team improved to 2-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 67-62 road victory over Drake Sunday afternoon at the Knapp Center.
Sunday's victory marked the Redbirds' (8-7, 2-0 MVC) best start in league play since the 2008-09 season, while the Bulldogs (5-9) fell to 0-2 in the MVC. Winners in five of their last six contests, the Redbirds have earned three-straight victories. ISU has now won six in a row against the Bulldogs, including four-straight in Des, Moines, Iowa.